Chris Appleton becomes first contestant eliminated from Strictly Come Dancing
Chris Appleton and Amy Dowden's Cha-cha-cha to I'm Always Here from Baywatch failed to keep them in Strictly Come Dancing.
Chris Appleton has become the first contestant to leave this year's series of Strictly Come Dancing.
The 43-year-old celebrity hairstylist and his professional dance partner Amy Dowden, 36, were eliminated from the BBC Latin and Ballroom dance show during the results show on Sunday night (04.10.26).
They faced Babs actress Jaime Winstone, 41, and her professional dance partner Carlos Gu, 33, in the dreaded dance-off, with both couples hoping to win over judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke with their respective Movie Week Cha-cha-chas.
Chris and Amy's performed I'm Always Here from Baywatch, but their routine failed to impress. Motsi, 45, Shirley, 66, and Anton, 60, unanimously preferred Jaime and Carlos' performance to Pretty Woman, and secured them a place in next Saturday's show (10.10.26).
It meant that Craig, who had the casting vote on this week's show in the event of a tie, did not need to give his verdict, but did say that he would have agreed with his fellow judges when asked by 50-year-old host Emma Willis.
Reflecting on his time on Strictly Come Dancing, Chris said: "I think it's been such a whirlwind of emotion. I'm 43, I got good at what I do, which is hair.
"And to come into something like this, I felt so out my comfort zone. I saw myself in a way I'd never seen myself, and it challenged me in ways I never knew I could be challenged.
"But I'm very grateful for everyone that's been involved. Now, obviously, all the celebrities up there, all of the cast and crew, it's just been so amazing to be a part of such a special thing that I grew up watching, and I feel very proud to be a part of it."
Chris added that he has a friend for life in Amy.
He said: "I genuinely love, and I'm so grateful that I met someone that has so much heart and passion. I only wish I did better for her because she deserves to go further in the competition. But we did put everything into it, so, you know, it is what it is.
"And everyone's amazing. Everyone's great."
Amy said: "Watching Chris grow in confidence, although it was short-lived, only two weeks, that is what I'll take away from.
"And do you know what? Obviously, I'm heartbroken. It seems to be my luck the last few years, but you know what? My heart is only breaking, because I don't get to dance with you on Monday, but I get a friend for life."
On Saturday night, former Neighbours actress Delta Goodrem, 41, and her professional dance partner Kai Widdrington, 31, topped the leaderboard.
They finished second last week with 29 points but managed to go one better during Movie Week, landing a total of 30 points for their American Smooth to I'll Never Love Again from A Star Is Born.
With the scores being combined for the two performances, their impressive 59 took them into the top spot.
Although YouTube star John Nellis, 33, and his professional dance partner Katya Jones, 37, had topped last week's leaderboard with 31 points, they failed to impress quite as much with their Couple's Choice to An Irish Party in Third Class from Titanic, earning just 23 points.
EastEnders icon Lacey Turner, 38, and her professional dance partner Vito Coppola, 34, and dog trainer Graeme Hall, 60, and his professional dance partner Lauren Oakley, 35, were tied in second place.
Graeme and Lauren gained the night's highest marks, bagging 31 for their waltz to The Godfather Waltz from The Godfather.
Lacey and Vito danced a quickstep to I Knew It, I Knew You from Toy Story 5, for which they were awarded 28 points, taking their total to 55.
Gavin and Stacey alum Melanie Walters, 64, and her professional dance partner Aljaz Skorjanec, 36, were at the bottom of the pile, scoring the same 15 as in week one for their waltz to Edelweiss from The Sound of Music.
Chris and Amy sat one place above them on the leaderboard, taking 17 points - one more than last weekend.
The 14 remaining couples will return to the dance floor next Saturday (10.10.26) at 6.15pm on BBC One.
